VERMILLION, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – George Barks is at the halfway mark of his trip across the United States, as he cycles to raise money for a charity looking to improve villages in Ghana.<\/p>\n
The former Royal Navy Submariner from Peterborough, England, started his journey in Astoria, Oregon. His goal is to make it to Virginia Beach, Virginia, by the middle of November. <\/p>\n
While his military service has helped prepare him for living on his own for days at a time, it\u2019s his first time taking a trip like this on a bike.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrior to this, 90 miles in the United Kingdom, just to iron out the creases. What do I need, what do I don\u2019t need? What\u2019s my fitness level? What\u2019s my bike like? Is there any kit I need to upgrade or improve?\u201d Barks said.<\/p>\n
After making some adjustments to his gear along the way, he\u2019s now comfortable taking on long stints. <\/p>\n
After starting on the West Coast, he said he\u2019s glad to have been able to ride through beautiful and truly isolated wilderness.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven some of the open landscape, it really humbles you to know that some of these towns are so isolated,\u201d Barks said.<\/p>\n
Barks has partnered with the United Kingdom-based charity Village by Village<\/a>, with the goal of raising \u00a315,000, or roughly $20,000, to build infrastructure in Ghana. <\/p>\n At the end of his cross-country trip<\/a>, he\u2019ll go to Ghana to build the projects he himself raised money for.<\/p>\n \u201cThese communities lack healthcare, education, sanitation, and fresh water. A lot from day to day, I think a lot of us take [for granted] the privileges we have of having water come out of our taps. Sharing toiletries. We kind of complain about the prices of living going up. There are people out there with a lot less than us,\u201d Barks said.<\/p>\n Barks said his experience in the United States has been priceless, but he is also excited about the opportunity to go to Ghana and meet the people he will be helping directly.<\/p>\n \u201cI really want to immerse myself in their community and within their culture. Just so I can really learn how difficult these people and these communities have it,\u201d Barks said.<\/p>\n George has been keeping people updated with his progress online<\/a>. <\/p>\n While none of the funds will stay in the United States, he said he\u2019s been amazed by how many South Dakotans and other Americans have heard about his mission and donated anyway. <\/p>\n That comes especially from a few one-off encounters he\u2019s had along his trip.<\/p>\n \u201c[A couple] made a generous donation of $300, just at a campsite. They saw me on this one section of road. I had to go on to the interstate. There was no other way to get where I needed to be. They saw me along this road, and were like, \u2018You crazy English guy. Get off this interstate.\u2019\u201d Barks said.<\/p>\n The culmination of those in-person encounters and the encouragement that he\u2019s seen online is helping George enjoy his time in the United States and come to love the reception he\u2019s received along the way.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd it\u2019s that sort of mindset of everyone is really positive towards their growth and their goals. That\u2019s really inspiring,\u201d Barks said.<\/p>\n George said this isn\u2019t his trip alone, but for those who care about others, it\u2019s a trip they\u2019re taking together.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat makes this trip happen is the people who are supporting, whether it be encouragement, through social media and sharing, or the donations. It\u2019s not me doing this. It\u2019s we are doing this,\u201d Barks said.<\/p>\n You can track Barks\u2019 progress across the rest of the United States here<\/a>. <\/p>\n His GoFundMe page can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Copyright 2025 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n